CZECHS ASK WHETHER THE USG WILL REFUSE TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000298 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016 TAGS: PREL KDEM BO EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS ASK WHETHER THE USG WILL REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE LUKASHENKO Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) POLOFF met with MFA Eastern Europe Director Tomas Szunyog March 23 to discuss the Czech response to the elections in Belarus. Szunyog said the Czechs favor strong transatlantic cooperation in response to the fraudulent election and asked whether the U.S. will refuse to recognize Lukashenko. ¶2. (C) The Czechs favor a strong declaration against Lukashenko, and support language for a proposed EU declaration that would refuse to recognize Lukashenko as president, and that would criticize Russia for its failure to call for a fair election. Szunyog doubts either statement will make it into the final declaration. ¶3. (C) Although FM Cyril Svoboda has publicly stated the Czechs do not support economic sanctions, every other form of sanction is on the table, including visa restrictions for top government officials and restrictions on certain financial transactions. Szunyog also proposed urging Turkey to impose visa restrictions, as top Belarusian officials frequently travel there. Szunyog also said that based on his meetings with his Belarusian counterpart, economic sanctions are the only form of reprisal that matter to Lukashenko. ¶4. (C) Szunyog said the Czechs see the need for better long-term policies on Belarus, and believe EU policy should be coordinated with the United States. The Czechs will also call for a high-level U.S.-EU meeting to take place before the April GAERC (which will focus on the election). ¶5. (C) Comment. Szunyog left POLOFF with the impression that FM Svoboda might reconsider his stated opposition to economic sanctions if they were proposed by the U.S. or received backing within the EU. CABANISS